Re: [TCNatFamLivSwap] Local family needs help, 2 kids having surgery

[Guest guest]

I am going to see Faith soon if anyone needs me to bring food etc. to Faith

at the hospital soon.

On Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 3:00 PM, Alyssa <nelson.alyssa@...>wrote:

>

>

> Hi all, we really need to band together and support this local family who

> is a member of the groups I'm posting this to. Please read on, and

> consider what you can do to pitch in. Many thanks!

>

> A few weeks ago I posted about Faith Whelan, who has been in the hospital

> with her newborn son for the lung issues he's had since his birth on

> 11/29/11. I just talked to Faith, and the cause has been discovered: baby

> Arden has a hole in his esophagus, so breastmilk has been going into his

> lungs every time he eats or has reflux. The good news is that surgery can

> fix this, and the surgery has a high success rate. The bad news is that

> Faith and baby Arden are still in the hospital, have been for weeks, and

> her husband has eaten up all of his time off from work while caring for

> their other two sons at home.

>

> In addition to this rocky postpartum, they just found out that their 19

> month old, Nils, is also in need of surgery. He has 2 fused sutures in his

> head (craniostenosis) and needs to have 2 surgeries to correct this and

> avoid serious complications. This will likely be pushed back to

> mid-February, so they can focus on the more urgent surgery of newborn Arden.

>

> HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

>

> FOOD:

> I apologize if my previous emails about the family's food preferences have

> made their diet sound too overwhelming or daunting to take on. Please

> allow me to clarify: the Whelans avoid factory farmed meat and junk food.

> Virtually anything else is fine. They prefer organic, whole foods, and

> typically eat a diet of traditional foods, but please do not let this deter

> you from bringing food. If you are unsure about the quality of meat they

> prefer, feel free to bring them a vegetarian meal. Their meal list is

> nearly empty, and they need nourishment now more than ever. If you have

> any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. If you can cook but not

> deliver or vice versa, please post to the group - there are likely other

> people you can work together with. This family is running on empty in

> every sense of the word...let's pitch in and help them through this

> difficult and scary time.

>

> Sign up here to bring a meal to the Whelan's Woodbury home for Ted and

> their 2 young sons

>

>

http://foodtidings.com/SignUp.aspx?ScheduleGuid=c039d205-ce43-44e1-a9a2-11ef96cd\

e335

>

> Let's also remember Faith, who doesn't have access to a kitchen or decent

> food at the hospital. She is breastfeeding and has a dangerously low

> supply - she really needs energy and nourishment to get her and baby Arden

> through this rough patch. Right now they are at Gillette, and I know it

> would be incredibly helpful if people could bring single servings of

> perishable food or non-perishable snacks (she doesn't have access to a

> fridge at this time.) She and baby Arden will be transferring to Amplatz

> for his surgery in the next week, and she will have a fridge there. I know

> she would also appreciate company from time to time, although visitors need

> to know that there is a lot going on (procedures, tests, doctors coming in

> to discuss what's going on, etc.), so it's best to call Faith to schedule

> 612-599-5441

>

> CHILDCARE:

> The Whelan's 2 small boys, 19 months and almost 4 years, are in need of

> childcare M-Th (roughly 9:30-6:30). There are two options, you can either

> go to their house or the boys can come to you. Nils and Rowan are sweet,

> kind boys who play well with others. Contact Ted for further info or

> scheduling 571-337-5890

>

> MISC:

> If anybody offers body work, such as healing touch, or knows somebody who

> could offer those services at the hospital, please contact Faith. And, of

> course, please send love/prayers/good thoughts to this family. This has

> been an exhausting ride for them, and in a sense it's only beginning.

> Faith is finishing up Caring Bridge websites for Arden and Nils, and I'll

> send those out as soon as she's done. My family has been down all week

> with a virus, but as soon as we're better I'll be able to help out with

> some deliveries of food and children. If you need help with this, please

> post to the list so I and others can jump in and offer our services.

>

> Thanks so much!

>

> ------------------------------

> *From:* Alyssa <nelson.alyssa@...>

> *To:* Kathy-jo <kaje62@...>; "

> TCNatFamLivSwap " <TCNatFamLivSwap >; "

> " < >; API <

> TwinCitiesAPI >

> *Sent:* Saturday, December 31, 2011 12:32 PM

> *Subject:* [TCNatFamLivSwap] Faith's meal list - please help

>

>

> As some of you know, fellow member Faith Whelan gave birth to their third

> child a month ago on 11/29/11. He had been in a few times due to fluid in

> his lungs, and now he has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.

> Faith is staying with baby Arden while Ted is taking additional time off of

> work to be home with the other two boys. Being so newly postpartum and

> stretched to their limits as it is, they could really use some additional

> support now with these new circumstances. Please pray/send love and

> positive thoughts to them, and consider making a nourishing meal to keep

> them healthy through this trying time. If you can prepare food but can't

> deliver it, please let me know and I'll deliver it myself or find someone

> who can.

>

> Their meal list can be found here:

>

http://foodtidings.com/SignUp.aspx?ScheduleGuid=c039d205-ce43-44e1-a9a2-11ef96cd\

e335

>

> They typically eat a diet of organic, whole foods/traditional foods

> (including beef that is grass-fed, pastured poultry, etc.) They will also

> accept vegetarian meals and fish. If you have any questions about this

> diet or what to make, please shoot me an email or a text, or give me a call

> 952-210-0485 and I'll be happy to help out. Let's support this wonderful

> and giving family with love and nourishment. Thanks so much!

> Alyssa

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--

Kathy-jo

c. 612.386.4240